Talking Environment

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan speaks with Dr. Maryia Bakhtsiyarava from Drexel University about how climate change, urban inequality, and health outcomes are deeply connected, and how data can help us respond more justly.

Dr. Bakhtsiyarava explains how environmental exposures like heat and air pollution disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, and how spatial data science and GIS can illumina...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan speaks with Dr. Neeti Bathala—Fulbright Specialist, Smithsonian Journeys Expert, and Drexel University professor—about her work in tropical conservation and environmental education.

The conversation highlights Dr. Bathala’s community-based conservation efforts in Belize and Costa Rica, including lionfish population control and partnerships with sea turtle protectors. She ...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan talks with Dr. Jane Dmochowski of the University of Pennsylvania about how we teach, translate, and communicate environmental science in a rapidly changing world.

Dr. Dmochowski discusses the challenges of making climate change understandable to the public, the evolving role of universities in climate communication, and how satellite remote sensing can reveal the hidden ...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan is joined by Dr. Jane Clougherty, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health, for a deep and timely conversation on the intersection of air quality, social stress, and public health.

Dr. Clougherty shares her research on how environmental exposures, especially air pollution, combine with chronic stressors to ...

In this episode of Talking Environment, Gevorg Ghazaryan speaks with Dr. Frederick Steiner, Dean of the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania, about the urgent role of ecological planning in shaping cities of the future.

Dr. Steiner unpacks the core principles of ecological design, explains why cities are critical to climate adaptation, and highlights the importance of integrating equity into urban planning. Th...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan is joined by Dr. Laura Toran, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science at Temple University, for a deep dive into one of the most essential but often overlooked topics in environmental science - urban water systems.

From stormwater to sinkholes, Dr. Toran explains how water moves through cities, why flooding is getting worse, and what urban planners and everyday citiz...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan sits down with Dr. Sean O'Donnell, Professor of Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science at Drexel University, to delve into the fascinating world of social insects and their responses to environmental stressors.

Dr. O'Donnell shares insights from his research on insect behavior and neuroecology, focusing on how species like ants, bees, wasps, and termites exhibit...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan sits down with Angela Pachon, the Research Director at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, to explore the role of climate policies, energy regulation, and policy implementation challenges in shaping environmental sustainability.

Angela Pachon brings extensive experience in electricity markets, gas policies, and climate policies, having worked as a policy advisor and ec...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan sits down with Cam Grey, an environmental and social historian and Associate Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, to explore the historical connections between environmental activism, climate change, and sustainability in the Roman Empire.

Professor Grey shares insights into how ancient societies navigated environmental challenges, the impact ...

In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan sits down with Professor Andrew Smith, a scholar in Philosophy and Environmental Studies at Drexel University, to explore the connections between environmental justice, food justice, and decolonization.

Professor Smith shares insights into the ethical dimensions of climate change, the role of Indigenous knowledge in environmental research, and the importance of challengi...

In this episode of "Talking Environment," host Gevorg Ghazaryan is joined by Professor Simon Richter, the Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor of German and Dutch literature and culture at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Richter, a pioneer in linking literature, culture, and the environment, shares his insights on the cultural aspects of adaptation, resilience, and migration in the face of the climate emergency.

The conv...

In this episode of "Talking Environment," host Gevorg Ghazaryan engages with Brian Berkey, Associate Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, to explore the world of environmental ethics. Brian provides a deep dive into the ethical dilemmas that arise from our interactions with the environment.

The discussion covers a range of topics, including the ethical implications of de...

Welcome back to "Talking Environment"! Join host Gevorg Ghazaryan as he sits down with Dr. Marilyn Howarth, a renowned expert in environmental health, for an enlightening discussion about our environmental health. Dr. Howarth shares key highlights from her extensive journey in environmental health, navigating intersections with social justice and emphasizing the importance of community engagement. Explore successful community-drive...

In this episode, join host Gevorg Ghazaryan as he sits down with Alex Bomstein, the Executive Director of Clean Air Council in Philadelphia, to discuss the importance of clean air advocacy.

As the Executive Director of Clean Air Council, Alex shares insights into the organization's initiatives and mission to fight air pollution and promote environmental health. They delve into the challenges and opportunities in sustainability, incl...

Welcome back to "Talking Environment"! In this episode, we're thrilled to sit down with Noah Swistak, the Sustainability Manager at the University of Pennsylvania. Join us as we explore Noah's journey into the world of sustainability and his role in green initiatives at one of the leading universities in the world.

Noah shares fascinating insights into the challenges and successes of promoting sustainability within a large instituti...

Welcome to our first episode! Join our exciting journey with Dr. Jon Hawkings, a biogeochemist at the University of Pennsylvania who's on a mission to unravel the secrets of Earth's melting ice. In this episode, we'll dive deep into Dr. Hawkings' wild adventures, from the icy landscapes of the Arctic to the rugged terrains of Patagonia and beyond. Get ready to hear exciting stories and surprising discoveries as Dr. Hawkings shares ...